Weekly Happenings - 2/13 - 2/19

Wow - we've had quite the weather shift over the last week. Our week started with our first measurable snowfall of the year and ended with playing outside every day of the weekend!

1. Sunday night we started getting our first real snow of the year (amazing!) and Peyton was super excited. When we got home from school on Monday night I bundled the kids up and we headed outside. It was great because it was close to 30 degrees and not super windy which made playing outside lots of fun. We had some stuff going on Monday night so we couldn't stay out long but Peyton helped me shovel the steps, made a few snowballs and rolled around in the snow. Garrison didn't really know what was going on but he smiled the whole time!

2. Tuesday was Valentine's Day and here is a pic of our two cuties followed by some pictures from Peyton's school party (and one of Garrison's too! ;)) It was hilarious to see all of the 3 year olds try to patiently wait for their turn to go through the food table line - I honestly thought it was going to be a disaster but they all did GREAT! After the parties, we stopped by Papa Murphy's to pick-up a heart-shaped pizza (with lots of black olives!) and a S'mores pizza for our Valentine's dinner. It was great - I think we may have just found a new Valentine's Day tradition for our family.

3. Wednesday we had swim lessons and Peyton now LOVES to go to swim lessons. She talks about it the whole way there and then is excited when it is her class' turn to start. This week they started swimming without their "bubbles" and Peyton went under water several times. She even tried her goggles on (something we weren't sure she would ever want to do!) and liked them so much she left them on for about 1/2 of her lesson. At the end they get some play time to swim around with their bubbles on and Peyton has a blast during this time and isn't ready for play time to be over. We may have had a rough start but we have definitely hit our stride with swim lessons - YAY!!!

4. Garrison has been quite active recently - he now rolls wherever he wants to go (stringing several rolls together) and is even starting to inch-worm across the floor. He continues to do great with sitting and is building all kinds of muscles to get ready to crawl - look out world! Garrison also has started to sleep on his tummy more and more, especially during naps but even at night time some too. What a big boy!

Check-out Garrison's sweater in this picture - Great Aunt Marry made it for him for Christmas but since we really haven't had much cold weather he hasn't gotten to wear it often. I finally had my camera close earlier in the week when he had it on so I wanted to catch a picture of our young man in his sweater - isn't he sweet?!

5. Story time at bedtime is one of my favorites. We usually all gather in Peyton's room to read two books before everyone heads to bed. I rarely have my camera upstairs but did one night this week so I was able to capture this very special time. I love how Peyton wants to share her story time / bedtime with Garrison - such a great big sister.

6. Friday I was able to pick the kids up a little early from school so we took advantage of the nice weather and headed outside! Garrison even got in on the action and got to try the outside swing out for the first time. Of course, big sis wanted to be the one to push him - she did a great job and Garrison loved swinging!

7. Also on Friday, Peyton fell off the couch in her classroom onto a chair and got a bit of a bruise on her cheek - ouch! This picture doesn't quite do her poor cheek justice but she assured me that she was ok!

8. On Sunday, Daddy and the kids headed to Lexington for a visit with Grandma & Grandpa Todd and Aunt April, Wyatt & Whitney. They had a great time playing - Garrison showed off his mad rolling skills and Peyton & Whitney are the giggle box queens! Check-out the last pic - apparently it was VERY quiet back in the bedroom area and Daddy found the three oldest grandchildren all under the covers watching Phineas & Furb - apparently Peyton's cousins love that show as much as she does! While they were away I was busy filing our taxes. I know, doesn't sound like much fun but I feel great to have it done! :)

9. Now it is time for some fun stories:

Peyton is very into names right now, especially people's middle names. She has found out that my name is Amanda Sue and now often refers to me as such. It is hilarious to hear her say, "Amanda Sue, Garrison is getting kind of fussy."

Peyton has also learned the concept of teamwork and often wants us to use teamwork to walk up the stairs - picture it, Mommy holding Garrison, Peyton holding Mommy & Garrison's hands (one each of course) all walking up the stairs. Teamwork. Oh, and we also have to sing the Wonderpets Teamwork song as we are walking up the stairs - "What's gonna work, teamwork. What's gonna work, teamwork!"

While at school Peyton was playing dress up and she told her teacher she was going to church. The teacher told her that was great and Peyton told her that she needed to be quiet and listen to "Pink God." To Peyton, everything must be pink! :)

Last night while I was putting Peyton to bed she simply looked at me and said, "Mommy, you're special." Wow - melt my heart my little angel - you are pretty special too!